Nothing like being a nude

This will be my 26th consecutive year as a volunteer cast member for the Pageant of the Masters. For several years I was cast as an individual in a variety of paintings, but approximately 15 years ago I finally was selected to do the pieces I love doing – nude male sculptures.

I have reenacted many famous works of art by Italian, American and Greek artists, just to mention a few. Some summers have required doing one piece at the beginning of the show and another toward the end.

The process involves full body makeup, which is normally applied with paint brushes, rollers, sponges and foam. While some sculptures are strictly white (marble), gold or bronze, others have required extensive shading and coloring, with some pieces eventually needing up to 15 different colors. The cast members do not apply their own makeup. Several makeup volunteers are assigned to the "male sculpt room," and they are responsible for making sure the makeup is properly applied so the "sculpture" looks like the real thing.

Once completed, we are posed in the set and while the actual "on stage" time may be only 90 seconds, we may have already been in position up to 10 minutes before – depending on the piece. That has been quite an effort some years when the pose was particularly challenging. I have been asked many times if it is embarrassing or intimidating to go out on stage under bright lights and pose naked for more than 2,000 people every night. Believe it or not, when I go out on stage with full body makeup covering me, I feel like I am completely clothed! While cast members wearing wardrobe may occasionally complain about being too hot when we have a summer heat wave, I welcome it! It is the chilly summer nights that I don't care for.

Being a male nude year after year requires quite a bit of discipline throughout the entire year. I always eat healthy, no matter what month it is, and go to the gym at least five days a week – all with the Pageant of the Masters in mind. Being 60 years old, I must be doing something right!

For the last 25 years, July and August have been totally devoted to being a volunteer for the Pageant of the Masters – but I wouldn't have it any other way.

– Michael Ziegler is a Laguna Niguel resident and has been a volunteer at the Pageant of the Masters for 26 years.

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